I thought I was getting off cheap, 'cause all I bought were some non-cycle specific clothes. (The 'bent doesn't insist on padded shorts, so cheap runners shorts work just fine.)

Then I started remembering other things, and adding those up. (NB the prices below are estimates. I really don't want to know!)

Clothes: $250.

Various shiny bits: $50

New granny ring: $50

New panniers & used trunk (Aerotech): $400

New sandles (soon): $85(?)

Tires, tubes, etc.: $50

Thats about it for me, but we, as a couple, also bought:

New bike for DH (plus shiny bits): $2000

Arkle panniers for DH: $260

Tires and tubes for DH's upright: $50

And now for the kicker, we recently had to buy a new (for us) car that is too small to carry two 'bents. We'll have to get a small trailer, and have a hitch installed (on a sporty red Neon. We just might be off our little rockers)

So:

Trailer & hitch: ~$2000 (WAG method of estimation)

Plus:

Katy Trail tour in October: ~$1000 (WAG method again)

Um, yeah, the bikes are a significant expense, maybe more than DH is saving by bike commuting. But they are still cheaper than a heart attack.

(I just added all the figures up. I was right. I didn't want to know.)